Tide fan charged in tree case gets new lawyers

Tide fan charged in tree case gets new lawyers

OPELIKA, Ala. - The University of Alabama fan awaiting trial on charges of poisoning Auburn University's landmark oak trees has new lawyers, meaning his trial could be delayed again.

The Opelika-Auburn News reports that a Lee County judge has appointed attorneys Margaret Brown and Andrew Stanley to represent Harvey Updyke.

The two were selected after Birmingham lawyer Everett Wess asked to withdraw. Another attorney representing Updyke left the case previously.

Updyke is set to stand trial in Opelika during a court term starting Oct. 1, but Wess says the case could be postponed.

Updyke faces charges of criminal mischief, desecration of a venerated object and unlawful damage of a crop facility for allegedly poisoning the Toomer's Corner oaks after Auburn beat Alabama in November 2010.